The **NEW** Grand Floridian FAQ!(MAY 2011)

[Nicole786]

I feel terrible for those who are staying at those resorts now with little or no warning. I'm checking in 4/19 so looking forward to the reports as we get closer to the end of the month! With the ample warning, I feel I can make the best decision for my family. Thinking second choice is the Boardwalk/Beach Club! Love these boards

 

[k&a&c'smom]

s&k'smom - If you scroll just a few posts up from yours, you'll see KerryCM and pmaurer74 are at the GF right now, and have reported the monorail IS down from 11-6 each day. From discussions they've had with CMs, it appears this will last at least 2 weeks. There was a link to an article a few days ago that stated this is due to the proximity of the DVC construction to the monorail beam, making it unsafe to operate; however, pmaurer was told by a monorail CM they are doing some kind of update.

Nicole786 - sounds like you have a good plan, I think I would do the same. If you choose to move, I can highly recommend the BC, we enjoy our stays there very much.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

jenneth79 - Below are the view photos from fifth floor king deluxe room 4021. The other two turret rooms have a similar view and are directly below (4421 & 4321); there are 3 turret rooms that are not facing the courtyard, they are down the hall near the monorail and entrance end of the main building (4030, 4430 and 4330).
Looking out and to the left, you can see the fifth floor hallway windows

Third floor balcony

Courtyard, pool and castle in distance

End of Big Pine Key, and view of lagoon

More lagoon, TTC & the buildings of the Poly in the distance

Poly and Wedding Chapel, beach pool bar in the foreground

Zoomed shot of the Wedding Pavilion

Looking down, Summerhouse landing

Beach, pool bar and beach pool

Beach pool and Wedding Pavilion

Keep in mind, these last few photos are of the view prior to the DVC construction. There is now extensive dirt work and fencing between the beach pool and the Wedding Pavilion. You can see photos of that here (two pages, with a link to a great video of the work in the first sentence): http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=718&Itemid=65

 

[pmaurer74]

The monorail was working today at 3:15 so maybe the disruption is not every day or for as long?

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

k&a&c'smom, your photos from the Main Building are wonderful! Oh, how I would love to be there right now

It sounds like the monorail isn't as bad as first feared. I would be upset if my week was one of those affected, but it does sound like it is manageable. The thing is, since WDW is open 365 days a year, problems, construction is a reality. However, at least for me anytime I can stay at the GF I am happy

 

[s&k'smom]

Gorgeous photo's. Thanks for the monorail info, I would hate to see anyone miss it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pmaurer74 - thanks for the new info, that is good news, especially for those of you there now.

Jungle Cruiser - it is true that someone will likely be at the resort(s) during construction. We've been at the GF for the 2007 interior refurb and the big outdoor maintenance in 2009/2010 and then the main lobby carpet/marble work in 2010! At least one of our recent visits to BC had outdoor work, and we were at AKL for exterior maintenance in the last couple years.

This seems much broader, to me, with the monorail down - but then, I'm not there. Sounds like guests are taking it in stride.

 

[KCmike]

Great shots ^^^^

 

[WDWKOOK]

I had the pleasure of stumbling upon some wonderful aerial photos taken recently of WDW by Adrian Court. Here are the links to the GF, including the DVC construction:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancourt/6852595357/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancourt/6852594661/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancourt/6852579053/in/photostream/lightbox/

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

WDWKOOK, those pictures are amazing. They really show the scope of the construction, as well as what building views are affected.

Love the picture KCMike. That part of the beach is so beautiful!

 

[TomorrowlandFamily]

I appreciate the main building view pictures, that's where we're staying.

 

[garada3]

Great shots ^^^^

I had the pleasure of stumbling upon some wonderful aerial photos taken recently of WDW by Adrian Court. Here are the links to the GF, including the DVC construction:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancourt/6852595357/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancourt/6852594661/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancourt/6852579053/in/photostream/lightbox/

KCMike and WDWKook ~ Did you two team up to do this?

The beautiful photo of the beach view posted first, followed by links to images of the construction that will forever change that beach view?

The growing reality of the impact of the timeshare building makes me sad.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

s&k'smom - you're welcome!

WDWKOOK - thanks for those links, very nice aerial shots. I've been hoping for something like that to turn up, but hadn't done anything to search.

garada3 - I know exactly what you mean, I was a bit sad as I posted those turret room photos.

KCmike - love that photo! Are you like me, and wishing you had taken even more, with the construction now obliterating that view? I take a lot of photos, but never feel I have enough.

I appreciate the main building view pictures, that's where we're staying.

Glad you liked them!! I've forgotten, which category main building room do you have?

 

[jenneth79]

k&a&c'smom - Thank you so VERY much posting both the layouts as well as the pictures... this was exactly what I have been hoping to find to help us make our requests! Now, the next two weeks will be spent debating do we ask for a specific one, or just let them know that we'll be celebrating our anniversary there and take the luck of the draw!

Someone mentioned the cabanas not being ideal due to the construction? I was planning on renting one at least a half day - but starting to consider otherwise if all we're going to hear is trucks backing up. I guess I can always cancel the reservation when we arrive if I'm not happy with it. That, and it's October, who knows what will be going on by then!

 

[pas130]

k&a&c'smom Had to post our friend kook plugging GF on her BWI thread (had to KOOK )

Saw the RPC King pics and felt sad I didn't get to stay there November with DH, (still mad I suppose...maybe that's why DH keeps putting down my Grand...he secretly is disappointed too) We all loved our SL stay...then looking at the aerial pics. I know now is the time to try to have the kiddos check out the Epcot CL side. We will definitely visit the GF in May! I am debating the tea party for the girls but the price tag maybe just a visit..and some shopping

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK, those pictures are amazing. They really show the scope of the construction, as well as what building views are affected.

Bittersweet, I suppose. Beautiful photos of a not-as-beautiful beach/LV - and the building isn't even up yet

Have you got all your ADRs and lists made? I made my packing lists yesterday, I typed one up for DD and I noticed today that she rather defiantly re-wrote the entire list by-hand and added some of her own ideas. Teens

KCMike and WDWKook ~ Did you two team up to do this?

The beautiful photo of the beach view posted first, followed by links to images of the construction that will forever change that beach view?

The growing reality of the impact of the timeshare building makes me sad.

If that were the case, garada3, we'd make a diabolical team...

Don't shoot the messenger!!!

WDWKOOK - thanks for those links, very nice aerial shots. I've been hoping for something like that to turn up, but hadn't done anything to search.

You're welcome. Sorry about stirring up all those emotions in everyone - wasn't my intention, but it is an unfortunate by-product of the destruction of some of your favorite resort. I felt the same way when they tore down the Garden Wing and put up BLT. I still feel some animosity toward that "interloping" building

k&a&c'smom Had to post our friend kook plugging GF on her BWI thread (had to KOOK )

Saw the RPC King pics and felt sad I didn't get to stay there November with DH, (still mad I suppose...maybe that's why DH keeps putting down my Grand...he secretly is disappointed too) We all loved our SL stay...then looking at the aerial pics. I know now is the time to try to have the kiddos check out the Epcot CL side. We will definitely visit the GF in May! I am debating the tea party for the girls but the price tag maybe just a visit..and some shopping

I speak the truth, no matter what thread I'm on. It just so happens to have been on the BWI thread that the truth came out and I thought you needed to change to GF. Someday, I'm sure that k&a&c'smom will tell her posters they should book WL or BWI or the CR

I know where Princess pas really wants to stay and even though she booked BWI, I wasn't falling for her sudden onset of undying BWI devotion. I knew that her booking BWI was just a clever way of hiding her true resort changing feelings. In fact, this complaining about the construction might just be a clever cover-up of her true feelings about the GF. Yes, I play a Dr. on TV...

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

WDWKOOK, I am sad that I am going to miss you at WDW by I am guessing a week. It would have been so AWESOME to meet face to face instead of via computer I think it's great you posted the pictures of the construction. The more everyone sees and knows it makes it easier to decide whether they want to stay at the GF or not. I am guessing that seeing those pictures confirms your decision not to stay at the RPC...

At least at this point the construction and even a monorail slowdown doesn't affect my vacation much. I love SL (so no chance of a construction view, or probably even noise), and my pool of choice is the courtyard pool. However, I won't be sitting on a hammock relaxing in the afternoon

I think all of us true GF lovers are sadden by the building of the DVC. I remember the view from the GF to the Poly before the wedding chapel was built! Unfortunately the DVC looks like it is going to mar the view even more once it is finished. The walk from the GF to the Poly is never going to be the same either.

 

[TomorrowlandFamily]

Glad you liked them!! I've forgotten, which category main building room do you have?

It's called B1 on the list. I was looking at the map and it says "theme pool". Is that the main pool?? I only see "courtyard pool" and "beach pool." Thanks!

 

[KCmike]

While I'm there I'm thinking I'm getting alot of shots and then I get home and its never enough.

 

[pas130]

I know where Princess pas really wants to stay and even though she booked BWI, I wasn't falling for her sudden onset of undying BWI devotion. I knew that her booking BWI was just a clever way of hiding her true resort changing feelings. In fact, this complaining about the construction might just be a clever cover-up of her true feelings about the GF. Yes, I play a Dr. on TV...

I know how I feel about my Grand...I love her. I still want to stay there. I also want evryone happy too. Maybe May won't be so bad there